Developmental Screenings
The Denver ll
The Denver Developmental Screening Test, 2nd edition (DDST-II) is a screening tool used across the country and around the world to screen children from birth to 6 years of age who are at risk of developmental delays. The test is not an indicator of IQ, only of the child's current developmental status. The test can be easily administered in about 20 minutes and scoring is based on 125 performance-based and parent reported items in the areas of fine motor-adaptive, gross motor, personal-social, and language skills.
Data is scored in relation to normative values on a curve and places each child in a percentile rank. The testing kit includes all the standardized items needed, making it an easy screening tool to use. A variety of professionals and paraprofessionals can administer the Denver ll including teachers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social services, and school counselors.
https://blogs.elon.edu/ptkids/2015/03/16/ddst-ii-denver-developmental-screening-test-2nd-edition/
The APGAR Test
The APGAR is a quick, overall assessment of newborn well-being administered immediately following the delivery of a baby. The test measures the baby's color, heart rate, reflexes, muscle tone and respiratory effort. Scores range from zero to two for each condition with a maximum final total score of ten. The test is given at one minute and five minutes.
The one minute after test provides information about the baby's physical health that can help assess if immediate or future medical treatment will be necessary.
- 7-10 indicates the need for routine post-delivery care.
- 4-6 indicates some assistance for breathing may be required.
- ↓4 can call for immediate, lifesaving measures.
The five minute assessment measures how the baby has responded to previous resuscitation attempts, if such attempts were made.
- 7-10 is normal.
- ↓7 means the baby must be monitored and retested every five minutes for up to twenty minutes. Lower than normal scores do not mean the child will have permanent health problems.
Heart rate:
0 - No heart rate
1 - Fewer than 100 beats per minute indicates that the baby is not very responsive.
2 - More than 100 beats per minute indicates that the baby is vigorous.
Respiration:
0 - Not breathing
1 - Weak cry-may sound like whimpering or grunting
2 - Good, strong cry
Muscle tone:
0 - Limp
1 - Some flexing (bending) of arms and legs
2 - Active motion
Reflex response:
0 - No response to airways being stimulated
1 - Grimace during stimulation
2 - Grimace and cough or sneeze during stimulation
Color:
0 - The baby's entire body is blue or pale
1 - Good color in body but with blue hands or feet
2 - Completely pink or good color
Last Updated: 08/2015
Compiled using information from the following sources:
Nemours Foundation, https://www.kidshealth.org
William's Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. 28.
https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/apgar-test/